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The consequences of war (in video games) and other topics come to GDC 2015

Quick reminder: for the second year running, GDC organizers have made all Advocacy track talks open to all GDC attendees, regardless of what type of pass they purchase. You can find the full lineup of awesome advocacy-centric talks at GDC 2015 via the Advocacy track session list.

Many developers once aspired (or still aspire) to makes games with that elusive "addictive" quality that delights players, but the phrase "addicting gameplay" has become problematic amid the rise of free-to-play games and the unique way they blend monetization with game design.

Unity's Oscar Clark will break down the issue in a talk entitled "Spellbound: Asking Questions About Habit-Forming Game Design." He'll ask tough questions, like: how as designers can we judge the balance between a game as a social good and the manipulation of an audience? And how can we understand the differences between habit and addiction, and use that understanding responsibly? Check out his talk to find out.

And as the game industry as a whole matures, how can we make sure it continues to welcome older players -- and developers? In "Still Gaming After All These Years" a panel of experienced game makers will present their own experiences as over-50 gaming professionals, examine the myth versus the reality of the contributions of over-50 workers, and provide advice for those over 50 about keeping their skills current and finding opportunities to apply them.

Plus, make time in your schedule to attend "Gaming the Laws of War: Can Real Consequences Mean Real Fun?" for a rousing roundtable discussion about the value of including real-world moral and ethical dilemmas in contemporary games. Can games be more satisfying if they enforce the Geneva Convention through gameplay? Panelists from the game development community, academia, and the Red Cross give a presentation on the current state of the Law of War in video games, debate the future of the idea, and offer new approaches you can apply to your own work.

Full details on these and all other announced talks is available right now in the online GDC 2015 Session Scheduler, where you can begin to plan out your conference week and later export it to the up-to-the-minute GDC Mobile App, coming soon.